Manuel Zlatanov carries one of the most recognized surnames in international volleyball. Still, he is determined to make his own name matter, building on the name without being defined by it.

“I am a different person, with a different career, totally different from my grandfather and father,” he said. “They gave me a lot of advice, but I am my own person. This surname is for today, and I have my own dreams to show who I am.”

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The 17-year-old outside hitter has emerged as one of Italy’s key figures at the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Against Spain, he helped guide Italy to a decisive win that secured the top spot in Pool B.

“Spain are a very good team because they defend and counter-attack very well,” he said. “They were first in the pool, and we were playing for first place. We played a very good match. The staff studied them very well, and we put all the information on the court. We are happy.”

He first made headlines in 2023 as the youngest player to debut in Italy’s SuperLega at age 15. Later that year, he led Italy to gold at the inaugural FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship with a perfect 7-0 record, earning MVP honors and finishing as the team’s top scorer with 129 points.

Now competing at the U19 level, he welcomes the chance to lead once again.

“I would like to be a leader,” he said. “That is just who I am. I try to push the team. That is what I want to do.”

Although volleyball runs deep in his family, with his father Hristo and grandfather Dimitar both having starred on the international stage, Zlatanov said the decision to pursue the sport was entirely his.

“They did not tell me I had to play volleyball,” he said. “I played a lot of different sports, and it was my own decision to choose volleyball.”

What stayed with him from his family’s influence was not pressure or expectation, but the attitude they taught him to bring to the court.

“Play for fun, with a smile, and with positive energy.”

Off the court, Zlatanov keeps his priorities grounded, with school and balance playing a key role in his daily life.

“For my family, the first thing is studying. That is the most important thing because volleyball does not last forever,” he said. “I study, I hang out with my friends, I play video games, I train a lot. That is my life.”

He also offers a message to young players, reminding them that success begins with the right mindset.

“Play for fun,” he said. “Do not do it because you feel you have to, or just to make a lot of money. That is not the right mentality. When you go to train, you need to feel hungry. You have to want to train.”

“The advice I give is to go to the gym just to have fun. Then try to always give your best, do better for yourself, and improve every day. But the most important thing is to have fun and do everything with a smile.”

2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship: full schedule

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